MISSOULA, Mont. — The Missoula City Council heard heated public comment late into the night Monday over an emergency ordinance about urban camping in the city.
A ruling from the Ninth Circuit Court prohibits cities from enforcing bans on public camping if they do not have enough shelter space available.
Council members discussed adopting an emergency ordinance that would bring the city into compliance, clarifying that not all city lands are closed to overnight camping or sleeping and declaring an emergency to protect public health, safety and welfare.
If passed it would go into effect immediately.
Council is also considering a permanent ordinance that, if passed, would go into effect before the emergency ordinance expires.
The meeting is still underway as of the publication of this article.
You can read more about the ordinance here.
